City's Christmas tree search is getting results

October 12, 2010

The search for this year's Daley Plaza Christmas tree got off to a false start, but after extending the deadline, city officials say they have received a bounty of new applicants.

The Mayor's Office of Special Events began the search for Chicago's official Christmas tree in July, but none of the submissions were the required height of 55 feet. The office renewed the search last month and received more than 60 applications by Monday's deadline. Some trees are between 60 and 70 feet tall.

"I think that when we first started this, people weren't thinking about Christmas," said spokeswoman Mary May. "Now they are."

The office is working with a landscaping company to evaluate the candidates. Three finalists will be selected and Chicagoans can vote for their favorite tree on the Web site from Monday, Oct. 18 until midnight on Sunday, Oct. 24. The winner will be announced the week of Oct. 25.